Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) is upended by Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) in the first period of NHL Hockey action at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Defenseman Sergei Gonchar missed his fifth game with concussion-like symptoms
Thursday, but he’s a candidate to return Saturday against Detroit. Gonchar, who
was hit in the jaw with a puck against San Jose on Dec. 21, said he is feeling
better and participated in contact drills.

Stars coach Lindy Ruff said he likes what he has seen from Gonchar in
practice.

“We’re going to ramp up the physical play for him, ramp up the intensity with
the workouts to get him in game-like situations on the ice and try to get him
ready,” Ruff said. “He’s close. If it’s not the next game, it’ll be the game
after that he’d be ready.”

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